Focus on alternative education: An exploratory case study

Abstract

This study explored practices that lead an alternative education program (AE) to improve student performance and progress toward graduation and transition. Eight former and current AE students were interviewed about their reasons for leaving regular schools and their perspectives regarding AE placements. The findings favor the implication of properly addressing environment, planning, delivery, and collaboration practices, each which enables at-risk students to succeed and transition to regular-education or post-secondary placements.

Keywords:

• Alternative education
• at-risk
• effective practices
• student support

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John J. McGee

John J McGee is a principal for the Fox Chapel Area School District. His current research interests are at-risk students, student supports, school climate and wellness programing.

Fan-Yu Lin

Fan-Yu Lin is Director of Research Department for Alsolife in Beijing, China. Her research interests are applied behavior analysis, autism and special education.